Duties

Summary

The position is located in the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Director, Policy and Special Programs (PSP). The selectee will interpret, develop and assist with implementation of new and existing policies for various functions of the Architect of the Capitol, including programs impacting financial, safety, human resources, IT and procurement and services across the entire agency.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

At the Architect of the Capitol, we are proud to be ranked as one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. Our employees are passionate about AOC's mission to serve Congress and the Supreme Court, preserve America's Capitol and inspire memorable experiences. AOC is a legislative branch agency, the recognized authority for the preservation, maintenance and construction of the world's most iconic treasures and buildings on Capitol Hill. As a global destination for thousands of visitors every day, Capitol Hill intersects history, architecture and art with the birthplace of our nation's laws.

The Policy Analyst will evaluate policy and legislation and monitor the effect these policies have on AOC missions.

This is a career ladder position requiring the selectee to perform progressively more complex duties and responsibilities leading to the full performance level.

In this capacity, the Policy Analyst:

• Drafts policies and strategies in support of implementation and administration of policy and strategic plans.
• Examines the efficacy of existing policies and laying out the groundwork for new programs and legislation to meet objectives and goals of the AOC.
• Identifies policy related to implementation of changes or new products and services; and drafts recommendations and strategies for addressing new requirements or changes.
• Represents the organization and its interests in meetings with other organizations to obtain all viewpoints regarding proposed policies and policy updates. Maintains continuing relationships with managers and employees and Federal officials on all matters related to the organization's role in implementing program policies in support of the mission.
• Assists the Director, PSP to identify, develop and coordinate policy issues within the jurisdictions. Will participate in and organize working groups, special study groups, research teams and provide professional advice.
• Responsible for the innovation, governance and management necessary to identify, evaluate, mitigate and monitor policy across all program and project areas ensuring policy updates from the program/projects occur in accordance with established processes and procedures.
• Identifies policy-related problem areas, defines the nature and scope of the problem, considers possible study approaches assumptions to be used; and objectives sought; and recommends alternatives or solutions for resolving issues.
• Conducts special assignments on high-priority issues in which the scope frequently alters as the work progresses. Assists with research and fact finding to develop position and issue papers on subjects of critical importance to the AOC.
• Utilizes a variety of software programs, including SharePoint, to author, coordinate and assist in the approval of agency policy.
• Ensures ‎wide dissemination of policy guidance to all jurisdictions.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• You must be able to pass a drug test.

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Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as having experience: (1) Assisting in developing policy governing a broad range of programs and services addressing the needs and challenges of an organization; (2) Evaluating policy and legislation and monitoring the effect these policies have on organization missions; (3) Representing an organization and its interests in meetings with other organizations to obtain all viewpoints regarding proposed policies and policy updates; (4) Conducting research and fact finding to develop position and issue papers on subjects of critical importance to an organization; and (5) Maintaining relationships with managers and employees and Federal officials on all matters related to the organization's role in implementing program policies in support of the mission.

OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience. In order to substitute education for specialized experience, you must have three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study related to the duties of the position.

Education

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Moving expenses are not authorized.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

• Knowledge of program research trends and ability to integrate knowledge into program policies.
• Ability to accomplish major tasks and complete projects by building consensus and facilitating cooperative and collaborative relationships within the organization, including federal, state and local agencies and private and non-profit agencies/organizations.
• Ability to negotiate with and influence representatives of diverse organizations in the public to reach consensus on significant policy matters impacting the AOC.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with and gain the cooperation of supervisors, managers and co-workers on complex or controversial issues.
• Ability to analyze extensive legislative program data and coordinate the preparation of accurate and reasonable program plans and proposals.
• Skill in written and oral communication sufficient to present information effective to a wide and diverse audience.

Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) job application process is designed to ensure you only provide information necessary to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position vacancy.

To apply for this position, you only need to submit: a) your resume and b) answers to the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant information. No additional documentation or attachments are required at the time of application.

Your resume should list your education, training and work experience including job titles, employment dates, duties and accomplishments.

Nothing further is required until it is requested by AOC's Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for the position, you will be asked to provide it during the interview or selection process. At that time, you may be asked to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.

For example, you may be asked to provide a copy of your diploma, college transcripts, or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires licensure or certification, you will be asked to provide proof at the time of selection.

If Veterans' preference is claimed, you will be asked to submit proof (DD-214, and, if claiming a 10-point preference, a SF-15 and the proof required by that form).

Failure to provide the required documents will end further consideration and/or result in the withdrawal of any tentative job offers.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.